Page 2 of Total Creative Control
Sophie and Jason exchanged a glance that made Lewis narrow his eyes suspiciously.
“Have you noticed any, um, IT issues, Jason?” Sophie asked.
“IT issues?” Jason said, frowning. Then his expression cleared with sudden understanding and he added, “Now you mention it, I think the”—pause—“Wi-fi might be playing up again?”
“Really?” Sophie turned back to Lewis with a placid smile. “Well, that could certainly be a problem if you’re trying to set up a social media account. Why don’t you have a chat with Aaron while I get IT on the case?”
She stood aside then, beckoning to the young man behind her to step forward. He was an inch or so shorter than Lewis and slim, with light brown hair and the sort of pretty face young girls idolised. Lewis could see him in a boy band, crooning forgettable ballads.
He looked too young to be a PA to a senior director, never mind someone as irascible and difficult to please as Lewis.
And… wait was he…?
Oh yes,definitelygay. Lewis had magnificent gaydar, and he didn’t miss the way the young man’s gaze swept over him in a quick but thorough onceover that was most certainly carnal. In fairness, he managed to mask his interest quickly, though his eyes still shone as he approached Lewis, albeit with a different kind of admiration.
“Hello,” he said nervously. “I’m Aaron Page, the new temp. I just about passed out when the agency told me I was coming here!” He offered a smile, then bit his lip, as though to keep it in check.
Lewis raised his brows, watching curiously, and with some amusement, as Aaron’s face pinkened. “And why would that be?”
“Well, I’m a bit of a fan.” Aaron laughed softly, self-consciously. “As in, a huge one. Huge fan, I mean. Oh my God, last night—” He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again, saying sincerely, “It was amazing. The reveal about Merrick was just—It just blew me away. My best friend Janvi too.”
“Yeah?” Lewis said, reluctantly pleased. “And you didn’t mind the cliff-hanger?”
“Mindit?” Aaron echoed. “God, no, Ilovedit. This whole storyline with Faolán tracking Merrick down is just awesome. And Faolán’s relationship with Skye is”—he broke off, blushing—“Oh God, I’m babbling aren’t I? Sorry.”
Lewis smiled at that. After all, who didn’t like it when people admired their babies? AndLeecheswas definitely his baby. “It’s cool,” he said. “I’m interested to hear what you think. Faolán’s a pretty new character, so it’s good to hear he’s had an impact.”
“So much,” Aaron gushed. “He’s such a great character. Janvi’s convinced you’re going to kill him off—please don’t! I really want him to stay.” He paused, then added, “You know what they say—Don’t bury your gays.”
Lewis struggled to maintain a neutral expression. Aaron would be disappointed to learn that Faolán was indeed being lined up for a dramatic exit after the season three cliff-hanger. Poor Faolán was destined to be blown to smithereens when the Family’s HQ exploded, though that wouldn’t be revealed until the opening of the next season, which they were currently working on. Still, Lewis was glad that Aaron was enjoying Faolán for now. The emotional payoff would be all the better that way.
His pleasure in Aaron’s reaction withered, though, when he recalled the Twitter storm and the comments he’d read this morning. He found himself saying, drily, “Apparently, not everyone liked last night’s episode as much as you and your friend. There’s a bunch of twats online who’ve been moaning about it all morning.”
Aaron rolled his eyes at that. “Were they? Let me guess—the Jägerbombers? And they hated the shippy scene with Amy?”
The what scene?
Lewis eyed Aaron for a moment, then he turned on his heel, saying, “Come on into my office so we can sit down while we talk.”
Aaron obediently followed him inside, closing the door carefully behind him.
As Lewis rounded his desk, he gestured at the chair opposite. “Take a pew.”
“Um, thanks,” Aaron said. Lifting off his messenger bag, he sat down on the edge of the chair, the bag on his knee.
“So,” Lewis said. “Tell me about the scene that these Jägerbombers fixated on.”
“Well, er, I suspect it’s the scene in the bar where Skye takes Amy’s hand? And she says,‘I didn’t think you’d feel so warm?’and he just looks at her.”
Lewis stared at him, and Aaron shrugged. “The Jägerbombers hate that stuff. They’re all about Skye’s relationship with the Family. Especially his brother. Wow, theyreallyloved ‘Family Ties’. You know the one in season two when the Family kidnaps Skye, and his brother has to—?” He stopped, blushing. “Sorry. Of course you know it. You bloody wrote it.”
“I did,” Lewis said, then added cautiously, “And they… the Jägerbombers liked that one?”
“Are you kidding? They adored it.”
He frowned. “I thought they hated the show.”
“What? No! They’re huge fans. I mean, don’t get me wrong. Some of them are arseholes about it. But they wouldn’t be talking aboutLeechesif they didn’t love it.” He smiled. “You only need to worry when they stop giving a shit.”